Centrifugally operated valve and tub construction for rotatable tubs for washing machines



June 28, 1955 T. R. SMITH 2,711,327

CENTRIF'UGALLY OPERTED VALVE AND TUB CONSTRUCTION FOR ROTATABLE TUBS FOR WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed OCt. 18, 1949 A 3 nvcntor 7kg/fm1? 57nd@ (ttorneg.

June 28, 1955 T. R. sMm-l CENTRIFUGALLY OPERATED VALVE AND TUB CONSTRUCTION FOR ROTATABLE TUBS FOR WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 1949 INVENTogz. 7/20772051? 5mi/z,

www "44ML June 28, 1955 T. R. SMITH 2,711,827

CENTRIFUGALLY OPERATED VALVE AND TUB CONSTRUCTION FOR ROTATABLE TUBS FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed Oct. 18, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Imventor Wam/2 mk/Q (Ittomegs @ENTRIFUGLLY OPERTE VALVE AND TUB CONSTRUC'HN FR ROTATABLE TUBS FOR WA HHN@ MACHENES Thomas F. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assigner to The Maytag Coin any, Newton, lowa, a corporation of Delaware Application October 1S, 1%9, Serial No. 121,974

Elairns. (Cl. 21d-63) This invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to washing machines having rotatable tubs provided with improved centrifugal operated valve means.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a washing machine with an improved rotatable tub construction which when rotated at a relatively high speed provides a means for removing heavy particles of dirt and foreign matter therefrom.

in washing machines having rotatable tubs wherein a washing operation and a centrifugal drying operation takes place there are times, when washing some fabrics, that heavy particles of dirt, sand, etc. will settle out of the fabrics beinv washed. These particles tend to collect in the bottom of the tub during the washing operation and when the tub is rotated to extract the liquid a portion of the heavy dirt or foreign matter may be forced back into some of the fabrics which, of course, causes the same to be spotted or soiled. Even in installations where a space or sediment trap is provided for heavy dirt to settle out of contact with the fabrics being washed, the dirt is not always removed therefrom when the tube is rotated and it may accumulate therein until it eventually clogs the sediment trap. This is especially so in installations Where the settling space is not readily accessible for manual cleaning.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a washing machine having a rotatable tub which is provided with a settling space at the lower portion thereof for heavy particles of dirt and to remove the same from the space centrifugally through a circumferential discharge passage at the lower portion of the tub when it is rotated.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a washing machine having a rotatable tube with a sediment space at the lower portion thereof for the accumulation of heavy particles of dirt during the washing operation and centrifugally operated resilient valve means disposed about a circumferential passage about the periphery of the lower portion of the tub capable of preventing leakage when the tub is stationary and which is opened by centrifugal force when the tub is rotated at relatively high speed to permit a direct flushing action of washing liquid through the sediment space to remove the particles of dirt therefrom.

lt is still another object of the invention to provide a rotatable tub construction which has upper and lower discharge passages with an annular resilient centrifugally operated valve disposed about the lower discharge passage and a sediment zone in the lower portion of the tub in direct communication with the lower discharge passage.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a sediment trap in a rotatable tube for a washing machine which is self-cleaning.

Other objects, features, capabilities, and advantages are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

The present application discloses subject matter related to applicants copending applications Serial No. 97,012, tiled lune 3, 1949, for Centrifugally Operated Valves for Rotatable Receptacles, now Patent No. 2,641,9l8, issued June 16, 1953, and Serial No. 108,99l, led August 6, 1949, for Centrifugally Operated Valves for Rotatable Receptacles, now Patent No. 2,656,700, issued October 27, 1953.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a partial vertical sectional view showing a washing machine with an improved rotatable tub construction for extracting liquid from the materials being washed and having an improved annular centrifugally operated valve means applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a partial enlarged vertical sectional View showing more in detail the construction of the rotatable tub and the centrifugally operated valve means therefor;

Figure 3 is a partial horizontal broken cross-sectional View of the rotatable tube taken in the plane represented by line 3 3 of Figure 2 showing the double tub construction at the lower portion thereof and the annular resilient centrifugally operated valve means;

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view of a modi fied form of rotatable tube construction;

Figure 5 is a partial horizontal sectional View taken in the plane represented by line 5 5' of Figure 4; and

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 4 and 5, respectively, showing a still further modified rotatable tub construction.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, a con1- bined washing and drying machine made in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 as embodying one form of an improved rotatable tub construction 2 which is preferably circular in horizontal cross section and is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The rotatable tub 2 is mounted upon a base structure 4 which also provides a support for mechanism, generally referred to as 6, for operating a vertically mounted oscillatable agitator S disposed centrally in the tub 2 and for rotating the tub in a washing cycle, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The rotatable tub 2 is positioned in spaced relation to and adjacent the upper portion of a generally cylindrical stationary tub 10. ln order to intercept and deiiect down ward the liquid discharged from the rotatable tub the stationary tub it) has its upper open end l2 extending above the top of the rotatable tub 2. In addition the stationary tub is provided with a bottom wall 14 having a drain opening 16 and a centrally disposed enlarged opening iS in a crowned portion Z0 through which vertical co-axial shaft means extend. The shaft means is in the form of an inner rotatable shaft 22 and an outer rotatable tubular shaft 24, for supporting and rotating the tub 2 and for actuating the agitator 8.

ln the embodiment shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, the rotatable tub 2 includes in part an inner tub or perforate basket 26 secured to a generally horizontal support member or base 28 forming part of an outer tub or receptacle 29. The base has a centrally located raised hub portion 30 with a vertically disposed passage therein for journaling an oscillatable shaft 32 which extends through the passage and is sealed against leakage by suitable sealing means 34. The upper portion of the oscillatable shaft 32 may be splined or connected (not shown) to the agitator 8 in any suitable manner while its lower portion is connected to suitable oscillating mechanism, generally indicated at 36, which, in this construction, is carried in a gear housing 3S disposed at the bottom and bolted to the base 28 to increase the mass of the rotatable tub 2.

This oscillating mechanism is preferably directly operated by the inner vertically disposed rotatable shaft 22 which has a driven pulley 40 secured thereto, at its lower end, the same being continuously rotated in one direction by a motor 42, when energized, by means of belt 44. The gear housing 3S is further provided with a downwardly projecting hub 46 concentric with the shaft means and rigidly secured to the upper end of the outer tubular shaft 24 by means of pins 48, while the lower ends of the shaft means 22 and 24 are mounted in a combination radial and thrust bearing 50 adjacent the lowermost portion of the base 4. Leakage between the outer tubular shaft 24 and stationary tub 10 is prevented where the shaft means traverses the stationary tub at the crowned opening 20, by means of a resilient spring biased seal or boot 1 having upper and lower sealing surfaces adapted to engage the lower portion of the hub 46 and an upstanding portion on the stationary tub about the opening 18, respectively.

The combined radial and thrust bearing 50 provides the sole support for the rotatable tub 2 which is free to tilt thereabout at which time the tub is capable of moving laterally. Accordingly, means are provided to maintain the tub in a substantially vertical position during the washing operation and, although it is not absolutely necessary, it is desirable to have the means act to aid in centering the same when the tub is rotated. In this instance, a plurality of oppositely disposed, preferably four, centering springs 52 disposed at an angle to produce a component of force axially of the shaft means, in addition to the centering action, are connected at one of their ends to the bottom 14 of the stationary tub 10 and the opposite ends are connected to a damper housing 54 disposed adjacent to and beneath the bottom of the stationary tub. This damper housing is also disposed concentric with and journalled on the outer shaft 24 and moves laterally therewith.

The agitator 8 within the rotatable tub 2 is formed with a center post 56 disposed on the vertical axis of the tub and a aring base or body portion 58 extending downwardly and outwardly about the hub to underlie the clothes and has one or more blades 60 extending radially upwardly and outwardly from the upper portion of the base adapted to agitate the liquid Within the tub upon oscillation of the agitator for effecting the washing operation. Also, the outer periphery of the base 5S preferably extends downwardly into proximity of the base 28 to prevent fabrics from entering thereunder.

In order to rapidly rotate the tub 2, to centrifugally extract the washing liquid, suitable clutch mechanism 62 carried in the damper housing 54 may be provided for effecting a driving relation between the inner shaft 22 and the outer shaft 24. Means are provided in the form of a brake mechanism 64 secured in part to the stationary tub 10 and to the outer shaft 24 for holding the tub 2 stationary during the washing operation and for permitting the rotation of the tub during the spinning operation. The operation of both the brake 64 and the clutch 62 is under control of an electrically operated solenoid 66, which when de-energized applies the brake and renders the clutch inactive and when energized releases the brake and engages the clutch to connect the inner and outer shafts 22 and 24 together to drive the same in unison.

The damper housing 54, which provides a support at least in part for the clutch 62 and brake mechanism 64 and has the centering springs 52 connected thereto, is also provided at its uppermost end with a spherical surface 68 having dampening material 70 attached thereto which is adapted to engage the crowned portion 20 of the stationary tub 10. This damper is provided to reduce the amplitude of lateral movement of the receptacle during the spinning operation.

A clutch, centering means, brake and damper mechanisms suitable for effecting the washing operation is described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No, 66,230, filed December 20, 1948, now Patent No. 2,645,108, issued July 14, 1953, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that said application discloses but one form of such mechanisms suitable for operating a washing machine as herein disclosed and that other suitable types may be utilized.

Referring now more particularly to the details of construction of the rotatable tub construction 2, the outer tub or receptacle 29 includes the generally horizontal base or support member 28 and a generally cylindrical imperforate side or outer wall 71 whose upper portion or section 72 flares upwardly and outwardly, and terminates in an upper open end having a top edge 73 preferably extending above the normal desired liquid level A and over which liquid is discharged when the tub is rotated. The lower portion or section 74 of the side wall ares downwardly and outwardly and terminates with its lower edge 75 spaced from the base 28 to provide a continuous unrestricted circumferential discharge passage 76 therebetween. Preferably, the base member extends radially outwardly beyond the outermost diameter of the basket 26 to provide a circular or peripheral seating surface 78 adjacent the bottom edge 7S of the outwardly flaring portion 74 of the sidewall 71. In addition, the base member is provided with a plurality of tapped lugs 80 and is stepped at 82, adjacent the outer periphery of the base 58 of the agitator 8, to provide a cylindrical shoulder or centering means for the inner tub or basket 26 during assembly.

In this modification the inner tub or perforate basket 26 is in the form of an open ended cylindrical container having a major portion of its side wall 86 and bottom 88 provided with a plurality of openings 90 for permitting the circulation of washing liquid therethrough `during the washing operation and to permit outward movement of the liquid when the tub is rotated. Also, the basket fitting within the receptacle 29 has a diameter smaller than the side wall 71 which defines therebetween an annular liquid conducting passage 91 having a lower portion 92 increasing in cross section toward the base member 28 and an upper portion 93 increasing in cross section toward the upper discharge edge 73.

In order to centrally locate the basket on the base member the inner end 94 of the bottom wall 88, carrying a gasket 96 thereon, is positioned about the shoulder 82. The bottom wall 88 of the basket is spaced from the base member 28 to define a sediment space or zone 98 in direct communication with the annular passage 92 and circumferential discharge passage 76 by providing a plurality of spaced downwardly projecting bosses 100 therein, resting on suitable gaskets or spacing devices 102, which are disposed over the tapped lugs 80 in the base member. A plurality of machine screws,104, or other suitable holding means, fitting downwardly through openings in the bosses 100 into the tapped lugs 80 provide adequate means for rigidly securing the two members together in spaced relation and to provide a rigid unitary structure.

While forming no part of the present invention, in this particular construction the upper portion of the basket 26 may be imperforate and it extends upwardly and inwardly and terminates to define an opening 106 whereby the operator may gain access to the interior of the basket. Also, adjacent the upper end of the basket 26 there is mounted a hollow toroidal balancing member or ring 108 preferably containing a mobile material 110 of any suitable type, having a relatively high specific gravtiy which serves as a balancing means for tending to maintain the rotatable tub in its vertical position when it is rotated at relatively high speeds, above its critical speed, under unbalanced load conditions.

With the lower edge 75 of the imperforate outer wall 71 of the receptacle spaced from the bottom 28 to define the unobstructed circumferential discharge passage 76 means must be provided for holding the same in spaced relation. In this instance, the central portion of the side wall 71, adjacent its region of smallest diameter, is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting depressions or bosses 112 which are adapted to engage the outer periphery of the basket 26, while at the same time leaving a liquid conducting space 113 between the inwardly projecting bosses 112. The side wall 71 is welded or secured to the basket where the bosses engage the same in any suitable manner to provide a rigid unitary structure which always maintains its lower edge in proper position with respect to the base member 28.

The downwardly diverging annular liquid conducting portion of the space 92 between the outwardly ilaring portion 74 of the side wall 71 of the receptacle and the cylindrical wall 86 of the basket merges with.the sediment zone 98 disposed between the bottom wall 88 of the basket and base member 28 whereby liquid may circulate through openings 90 out of contact with the fabrics being washed. Also, it is upon the upper portion of the flat horizontal surface 114 of the base member 28 that the major portion of the heavy particles of dirt and foreign matter collect during the washing operation.

Since the circumferential discharge passage 76 is disposed at the bottom of the tub, means must be provided to seal the same during the washing operation. This is accomplished by providing a centrifugally operated annular resilient sealing element or ring 116 about the outer periphery of the lower portion of the side wall 71 and the base member 28. This annular resilient sealing element comprises a lower enlarged bulbous sealing portion or end 118, generally circular in vertical cross-section, with an integral annular web or flange 12.0 extending upwardly therefrom which in turn is formed integral with an upper enlarged bulbous annular anchoring portion or end 122 generally smaller in vertical cross-section than the sealing end 118. All of these elements have approximately the same inner diameter when the sealing element is assembled in position. It is to be understood, however, that prior to assembly of the sealing element `116, its sealing lip 118 and anchoring portion 122 may have different diameters for more simplified manufacturing operations and is preferably smaller in diameter thanthe outer diameter of the receptacle in order to provide the proper amount or degree of stretch for sealing the passage during the washing operation.

In order to secure the sealing element 116 in position, the lower portion of the side wall 71, at the bottom edge 75 of the receptacle, is bent upwardly and then outwardly and downwardly to provide a C-shaped flange 124 to provide an annular groove, generally circular in vertical cross-section, with its restricted opening 126 facing downwardly in the direction of the base member and adjacent to the outer periphery 78 of the same. During assembly the upper anchoring portion 122 or" the sealing element is forced through the restricted opening 126 into the annular groove formed by the C-shaped flange 124 and which groove is capable of holding the same without any additional securing means under all operating conditions. When assembled, the web 120 extends substantially vertically downwardly and since the sealing element 116 is molded with a smaller diameter than the outer periphery of the receptacle the sealing lip 118 is held against the outer peripheral surface 78 of the base 28 by the natural resiliency of the sealing element.

This sealing element is preferably formed of, for example, rubber or synthetic rubber or the like, and is so dimensioned or proportioned to provide adequate resilient characteristics so that the sealing lip 118 will move outwardly to open the circumferential discharge passage 76 when the tub is rotated above a predetermined speed, as indicated in dot and dash line in Figure 2, and its modulus of elasticity is such that it automatically reseats itself when the tubs speed decreases at the end of the spinning operation. Also the resilient material is preferably soft enough so that should a particle of foreign matter be caught between it and its seat the sealing lip will seal thereabout with no or a minimum of leakage. By anchoring the sealing element to the side wall 71 instead of to the base 28, the liquid discharged is not deflected upward and consequently there is notendency for heavy particles to accumulate adjacent the anchoring portion to interfere with proper sealing.

When the tub is stationary during the washing operation the liquid within the basket 26 is agitated rather violently by the agitator 8, and due to this action a portion of the liquid is circulated through the openings 90 in the basket into the sediment space 98 and the annular space 92 provided between the basket and the receptacle. The water entering the sediment zone 98 carries with it heavy dirt and other foreign particles removed from the soiled fabrics which tends to settle therein because the liquid in this space has a tendency to be relatively quiet. Thus, the foreign particles are restricted or retarded in their flow back toward the interior of the basket and the major portion of these particles for the most part will remain in the sediment zone.

After the washing operation the tub 2 is rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid therefrom. As the tub is accelerated, centrifugal force causes a portion of the water to move upwardly along the annular space 93 and be discharged over the top edge 73, and when a predetermined speed is attained, dependent upon the design characteristics, centrifugal force plus the hydrostatic pressure of the water acting on the resilient valve 116 causes the same to open and in so doing the sealing lip 118 is moved radially outwardly to its open position, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Figure 2. When this valve opening occurs it will be rather rapid and due to the relatively high speed of rotation of the tub the water in the annular space 92 and sediment zone 98 is expelled centrifugally through the circumferential discharge passage 76 beneath the annular resilient sealing ring into the stationary tub 10. Simultaneously with this, a portion of the liquid is rapidly drawn through the openings 90 in the bottom of the basket into the sediment zone 98 which acts to flush or clean the top surface 114 of the base member 28. This rapid water action tends to pick up and move the major portion of the foreign particles thereon radially outward and discharges the same through the discharge passage 76 into the stationary tub where they are directed to the drain outlet 16. When the extraction operation is terminated and the speed of rotation of the tub decreases below a given value the natural resiliency in the sealing ring or valve 116 causes the same to move inward to its original or closed position to seal the circumferential opening-76 to prevent leakage of water therethrough.

With a construction of this type it can be seen that the sediment zone provided in the bottom of the tub is in effect self-cleaning whenever the tub is rotated. Also, the perforate basket retains the fabrics and the liquid entering the space through the openings in the basket is rapidly discharged without further contact with the fabrics. Still another advantage is that at the end of the washing operation the fabrics are dispersed within the tub and when the tub is accelerated a fairly large percentage of the washing liquid which was adjacent the side walls is discharged from the tub before the fabrics move outwardly and are retained by the side wall of the basket. ln this manner'less water is filtered through the fabrics and consequently there is less chance of trapping small particles of foreign suspended matter which is normally carried by the liquid and is too light to be retained by the sediment zone.

The operation of a washing machine as hereinabove described and incorporating a tub and centrifugal valve construction therein made in accordance with the invention is as follows:

The operator places the clothes or fabrics to be washed through the access opening 106 in the basket including with it the proper quantity of detergent, thereupon the operator may select the water temperature desired and adjust other control mechanisms (not shown) to determine the length of the washing cycle and to cause water to be conducted into the rotatable tub through a nozzle 128 disposed at the upper portion thereof.

When the liquid in the tub 2 reaches a predetermined level, control mechanism (not shown) interrupts the flow of water and the drive motor 42 is energized to start the washing operation by oscillating the agitator 8 through the oscillating mechanism 36.

During the washing operation heavy particles of foreign matter and heavy dirt are carried by the washing liquid circulating through the openings 90 in the basket into the sediment zone 98 and annular space 92 and whereat a relatively large portion of the heavy particles tend to collect in the sediment zone 98 due to the less violent circulation of Water.r After a predetermined period of agitation, the solenoid 66 is energized to release the brake 64 holding the rotatable tub 2 stationary to permit rotary movement thereof and at the same time causes the clutch 62 to be engaged to directly connect the continuously rotated drive shaft 22 to the hollow rotatable shaft 24 carrying the tub to rotate the same, at which time no relative movement takes place between the agitator and the tub.

As the tub is accelerated by the drive motor 42 centrifugal force acting on the liquid causes a portion to be discharged over the top edge 73 of the receptacle and upon attaining a given speed it acts on the centrifugally operated valve to move the same to its open position to permit the rapid tlow of washing liquid through the cir- -cumferential discharge passage 76. In so doing, additionaly water flows from the interior of the tub through the openings 90 into the sediment zone to create a relatively high velocity therethrough to thereby remove the foreign particles therefrom.

' At full speed of rotation the major portion of the liquid is removed from the fabrics and is conducted into the annular space 92 through the openings provided in the side wall of the basket. At the end of the spinning operation the solenoid 66 is deenergized and in so doing applies the brake 46 and releases the clutch 62 to stop and hold the tub stationary. Warm water for rinsing is thereupon admitted to the tub through the nozzle and upon attaining the proper level the ow of water is interrupted and the drive motor 42 is energized to initiate the agitate rinse period.

The operation of the washing machine during the rinse period is identical to the operation thereof -rluring the washing period, except it is of shorter duration, after which the tub is again rotated and the water discharged over the top edge 73 and through the circumferential discharge passage 76. At the end of the final spin period, the solenoid is again deencrgized to reapply the brake to the receptacle to stop the same. The washing operation is now completed, and thc operator need only remove the fabrics from the tub.

The details of construction of an entire control assemblysuitable for controlling a washing machine of the type herein described, and its operation, is more fully described in the co-pending application of Thomas R. Smith and Dudley P. Combs, Serial No. 64,792, led December 11, 1948, now Patent No. 2,612,766, issued October 7, 19,52, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Referring now to the modification disclosed in Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a rotatable tub of double walled .construction which is identical in construction to that disclosed in Figures l, 2 and 3, with the exception that the diameter of the central portion of the substantially imperforate side wall 71 intermediate the upper and lower ends 73 and 75 is reduced at 130 still further so that it contacts or engages the entire outer periphery of the basket 26. At this point of engagement the side wall 71 may be welded or secured in any suitable manner to the basket to provide a rigid unitary structure in order to maintain a fixed circumferential discharge passage 76. A construction of this type provides for added rigidity should it be required for some installations. With a tub assembled in this manner the annular space between the side wall 71 of the receptacle 67 and the side wall 86 of the basket is divided to provide an upper annular passage or space 132 increasing in cross-section toward the top edge 73 and a lower downwardly diverging passage or space 134 which is in direct communication with the sediment zone 98 and the circumferential discharge passage 76. The means for sealing the discharge passage 76 comprises the resilient annular centrifugally operated sealing element 116 which is retained in position in a manner identical with that hereinabove described.

From the foregoing it is obvious that at the end of the washing operation the liquid entering the upper annular space 132 must flow upwardly and out over the top edge 73 of the receptacle and the liquid trapped in the lower annular space 134 must ow'downwardly and out of the discharge passage 76 and no transfer of liquid can take place between the two annular passages. The operation and function of a tub constructed in this manner for ilushing the sediment zone 98 is identical to that as described in the rst modification.

In Figures 6 and 7 there is shown a still further moditied rotatable tub of the double walled type which is similar in construction; however, in this instance the substantially imperforate frusto-conical outer or side wall 136 has its uppermost end 138 reduced in diameter to engage the upper portion of the basket 26. This reduced upper portion is welded or secured to the basket in any suitable manner to provide a rigid unitary structure with the basket. From the point of engagement with the basket the side wall 136 of the receptacle 69 extends downwardly and outwardly and terminates in a lower edge 140 which is spaced from the base member 28 to define therebetween the annular circumferential discharge passage 76 as in the other modifications. This discharge passage is sealed in an identical manner by means of the annular resilient centrifugally operated valve 116 as previously described and functions to permit direct discharge of the major portion of the liquid through the passage 76 when the tub is rotated above a predetermined speed.

In this particular construction it can be seen a single annular space 142 is provided and that all liquid entering the space is directed downwardly toward the bottom of the tub whereat it is discharged into the stationary tub and that the sediment zone is ushed in substantially the same manner. In some installations wherein it is desirable to discharge the liquid as quickly as possible it may be advisable to provide a plurality of horizontally disposed openings 144 in the basket 26 above the outer wall 136 of the receptacle above the normal liquid level desired during the washing operation, or under some conditions it may be desirable to place the openings 144 in the upper portion of the side wall 136.

From the foregoing it can be seen that a rotatable tub having a double wall construction has been provided with an annular centrifugally operated resilient valve for sealing a circumferential discharge passage at the lower portion thereof which permits the flow of liquid therethrough when the tub is rotated and that this construction provides in effect a self-cleaning sediment zone. adjacent its lower portion.

Also, it can be seen that tub constructions are shown which provide for a very rapid discharge of liquid as it is being accelerated and that this rapid discharge has the advantage of removing a large portion of the liquid before the fabrics move radially outwardly to engage the Side wall of the basket at which time a portion of the remaining liquid must flow through the fabrics in order to enter the annular spaces.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lt is claimed:

1. A rotatable tub for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed, comprising a base member, a perforate ccntainer secured to said base in spaced relation to provide a sediment zone therebetween, an imperforate side wall encompassing said container, said side wall being secured to said container to provide a unitary structure, said side wall having outwardly daring portions extending upwardly and downwardly with respect to the connection between said side wall and container, the top edge of said side wall extending above the normal liquid level in said tub and the lower edge being spaced from said base member to provide a liquid discharge passage therebetween disposed about the periphery of the tub, and an annular centrifugally operated sealing element disposed to seal said passage when said tub is rotated below a predetermined speed.

2. A rotatable tub adapted to receive liquid and materials to be washed, comprising a base member, a perforate container secured to said base member in spaced relation thereto to provide a sediment zone therebetween, a side wall surrounding the lower portion of said container having a portion reduced in diameter and secured to said container to provide a unitary structure, said side wall having outwardly aring portions extending upwardly and downwardly from said reduced portion to direct liquid in both directions when said tub is rotated, said tub being formed to provide a liquid discharge passage adjacent said base member disposed about the periphery of the tub, and centrifugally operated valve means disposed adjacent the lower portion of said side wall to prevent leakage through said discharge passage when said tub is stationary.

3. A rotatable tub for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed, comprising a base member, a basket having a perforate bottom wall and a perforate side wall secured to said base member through said bottom wall in spaced relation to provide a sediment zone, a substantially imperforate outer wall having an upper edge extending above the normal desired liquid level and a lower edge terminating adjacent said base member to dene a liquid discharge passage therebetween disposed about the periphery of the tub and in direct communication with said sediment zone, said outer wall being reduced intermediate its ends and secured thereat to said basket to provide upper and lower annular liquid conducting spaces, said upper space directing liquid to said upper edge and said lower space directing liquid to said discharge passage, and an annular resilient centrifugally operated valve for sealing said discharge passage when said tub is stationary and rotating below a predetermined speed.

4. A rotatable tub for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed, comprising a radially extending base member, a perorate basket having a side wall and a bottom wall secured to said base member in spaced relation thereto to provide a sediment zone therebetween, a substantially imperforate outer wall surrounding said basket having an upper open end and a lower end terminating adjacent said base member to dene a discharge passage disposed about the periphery of the tub and in communication with said sediment zone, said outer wall being reduced in diameter intermediate its ends and secured to said basket to provide a unitary structure and to define independent upper and lower annular liquid conducting spaces, said upper space being flared outwardly to said upper open end and said lower space being ilared outwardly to said discharge passage, and an annular resilient centrifugally operated valve disposed about said passage to prevent leakage therethrough when said tub is stationary and rotating below a predetermined speed and operative above said speed to permit ushing of said sediment zone.

5. A rotatable tub comprising, a base member, a basket supported by and fastened to said base member, said basket including a perforate side wall and a perforate bottom wall, means spacing said bottom wall from said base member to form a sediment receiving chamber between said bottom wall and said base member, an imperforate side wall encompassing said basket and fastened to said perforate side wall independently of said base member, said imperforate side wall including a lower edge of uniform cross section spaced from and cooperating with said base member to define an unrestricted circumferential discharge passageway communieating directly with said sediment receiving chamber, and a centrifugally operated sealing element bridging said passageway.

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